Maximising Costs Recovery in Civil LAA Certificated Work - Best Strategies & Techniques

Introduction

The primary purpose of this session is to maximise costs recovery in respect of fee earners undertaking work under civil legal aid certificates issued by the Legal Aid Agency (‘LAA’).

Presented from a commercial perspective and based on 25 years' experience of billing files for practitioners, this virtual classroom seminar will identify the best strategies and techniques to be applied during the lifetime of the case.

Drawing on experience of seeing countless files for many different cases, this live session is intended to provide you with valuable insights in relation to managing cases from a costs perspective as well as ensuring they are properly rewarded for the work they have undertaken and whether the costs are ultimately paid by the LAA or from the opponent where inter partes costs are awarded.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• Initial steps to be taken to ensure you are covered under the LAA certificate
• What you can (and cannot) charge for and identification of costs commonly omitted from bills
• Key takeaways from the LAA’s Costs Assessment Guidance, particularly how much time they will allow
• Seeking enhancements on hourly rates - what the requirements are and examples of what can be claimed
• Disbursements - how much can be claimed and consideration of obtaining prior authority
• Counsels’ fees and how to control them
• Managing live cases
• When to register as a high cost case
• Examining when the lay client may have a financial interest to include the statutory charge
• Checks to be made at the conclusion of the case to facilitate billing the file

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.